SMART Ideas

What is it?

SMART Ideas software brings the power of visual learning to your classroom. Students can better analyze and understand complex ideas by building multilevel interactive maps in this fun, colorful software.

How can you use it?

Engage students with multiple views
Present information from a variety of perspectives using the diagram, outline, global or presentation views.
Encourage creative thinking in your classroom
Use interactive clip art, connectors, patterns and images to bring ideas to life.
Enhance lessons using multilevel maps and multimedia
Go deeper into ideas with multilevel maps and dynamic multimedia tools.

Why would you use it?

Teachers say: My students think SMART Ideas software is great. We can capture an entire chapter of material on one map with neat graphics and pictures. This makes it easier for students to grasp concepts and ideas while having fun doing it. The more time I invest in this software, the more ideas I come up with for how to use it in class.
Easily switch between the diagram view or the text-based outline view to demonstrate the connection between visual and written ideas. Or show all map levels at once with the global view. For presentations, use the presentation view to remove toolbars to view and display maps.
PRO: SMART Ideas allows students to explore topics while understanding the direct relationship of the previous level. The visual connections have been a great support to the special education students.
PRO: Add links or attachments to files, websites and levels within diagrams. Link to multimedia files and play them within SMART Ideas software.
PRO: You can do a 30 day free trial to see if purchasing the software is worth the money.
CON: Must have SMART Board to use with the software while Inspiration can do much of the same things
Standards: 1 a-c, 2 a-d, 6 a-d

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